Was this the Most Divisive US Election Ever?
Trump v Clinton will go down in history one of the nastiest American election campaigns of the modern era. But is it unprecedented?
The Clinton鈥揟rump race has been extraordinary. Two of the most unpopular presidential candidates ever have slugged it out through a bitter campaign. They are both 鈥 for different reasons 鈥 deeply polarising figures. Hillary Clinton is viewed with suspicion by Americans who have turned against what they regard as 鈥渢he elite鈥. Donald Trump has exploited crudely divisive, sexist, even racist, rhetoric. The tone of the contest has been ugly. But there is historical precedent for much of this 鈥 divisive policy positions on slavery or the famous attack ads of the 1960s. How should we view this campaign compared to the candidates, rhetoric, policies and media climate of past elections?
(Photo: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as she answers a question i their presidential town hall debate at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. Credit: Rick Wilking)
Last on
Broadcasts
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 02:06GMT成人快手 World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 03:06GMT成人快手 World Service Online & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 04:06GMT成人快手 World Service East Asia
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 05:06GMT成人快手 World Service Australasia & South Asia only
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 07:06GMT成人快手 World Service East and Southern Africa
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 09:06GMT成人快手 World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 15:06GMT成人快手 World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 20:06GMT成人快手 World Service Americas and the Caribbean, Online, Australasia, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
- Tue 8 Nov 2016 21:06GMT成人快手 World Service East Asia, East and Southern Africa, South Asia & West and Central Africa only
- Sat 12 Nov 2016 22:06GMT成人快手 World Service except East Asia & News Internet
Featured in...
America Decides—America Decides
The latest on the US election 2016
Podcast
-
The Inquiry
Getting beyond the headlines to explore the forces and ideas shaping the world